Which plants are used in medicine to alleviate illnesses and promote health? If you're looking for an answer to this question, you've come to the right place. Medicinal plants have been with us for thousands of years - and they still play an important role today. Many well-known medicines originally came from nature: for example, willow bark, which led to the development of aspirin, or cannabis, which is now used in a strictly regulated clinical setting.
In this article, I will introduce you to some of the most important medicinal plants that are not only traditionally known, but are still used today in medicines, therapies and hospitals. Let's go!
Why Medicinal Plants Still Matter in Healthcare
History shows that plants have had a decisive influence on modern medicine. But why are medicinal plants and their active ingredients still so important today? Before we get straight to the specific examples, I have listed a few motivating reasons:
- Basis of many medicinesNumerous established medicines such as aspirin or morphine have a plant origin. Medicinal plants remain an important source of new active ingredients.
- Research potentialEven today, scientists are still discovering plant substances with medical potential for new treatment options in the future.
- Sustainability and resource conservation: Medicinal plants are a reminder that medicine should not only be effective, but also sustainable. In view of the decline in Biodiversity could also be countless as yet unexplored plant species of medicinal value.
- Combining tradition and science: Medicinal plants bridge the gap between millennia-old knowledge and modern, evidence-based research - an approach that can open up safe and natural therapies for patients.
10 Key Medicinal Plants Used in Modern Medicine
Now that we've looked at why medicinal plants are still so important today, it's time to get specific. Below you will find ten examples that show how plants are still used today in medicines, therapies and even in clinical care - from traditional classics to modern fields of research.
1. Cannabis
In a strictly regulated clinical environment, cannabis is mainly used for chronic pain used when other therapies are not sufficiently effective. The cannabinoids it contains influence the body's own endocannabinoid system and can have a pain-relieving and muscle-relaxing effect.
Studies such as the German cannabis companion survey report a subjective improvement in symptoms for many patients. Providers such as the Releaf store support people who, after a careful medical examination, are eligible for treatment with medical cannabis come into question.
2. Willow Bark
Willow bark is traditionally used against Pain, Fever and Inflammations used. Its ingredients have an antipyretic, diaphoretic, analgesic and also slightly germicidal effect.
The most important substance, salicin, served as a template for the Development of acetylsalicylic acid - better known as aspirin, which is still one of the most widely used medicines in the world today.
3. St. John's wort
St. John's wort is a prime example of a medicinal plant. It has been used in traditional medicine for centuries - today mainly to help with mild to moderate depression. Standardized extracts whose efficacy has been proven in studies are used clinically. According to the German Medical Journal St. John's wort is considered Probably effective.
4. opium poppy
The opium poppy is an annual, herbaceous plant that can grow up to 1.5 meters high and is a forms a spindle-shaped root. From its milky juice Morphine a highly effective painkiller that is indispensable in modern medicine.
Because of its high potency it is used exclusively under medical supervision.
5th thimble
This colorful plant contains cardiac glycosides, which are used in cardiology to treat certain forms of heart disease. Heart failure can be used. The exact dosage is crucial: in small quantities, the active ingredients can strengthen the heartbeat, but in higher concentrations foxglove has a toxic effect.
Tip: With which practical means you Preventing heart disease in everyday life I have described in detail in the linked blog article.
6. belladonna
The highly poisonous belladonna is used to extract Atropine - an active substance that is used in ophthalmology for Pupil dilation and in emergency medicine, for example in Cardiac arrhythmiasis used. The medicinal use is exclusively in strictly dosed preparations.
7. Yew Tree
The bark of the yew tree provides Paclitaxel - an active ingredient that oncology has developed for the Chemotherapy uses. Paclitaxel inhibits cell growth and thus stops the division of tumor cells. This example shows impressively that even highly effective cancer drugs have their origins in medicinal plants.
8. Garlic
The popular bulb not only flavors food, but also supports human health. Research shows, among other things, that garlic has positive effects on Cholesterol level and Blood pressure can have. According to NCCIH although the effect is considered limited, standardized preparations are used as a supplement in prevention and therapy.
Important: Valuable tips for a heart-healthy diet can be found in the linked article.
9. Hawthorn
Extracts from hawthorn (I also have this beautiful tree in my own garden) are used in the Cardiovascular medicineused, for example, for mild cardiac insufficiency. The positive health effect and the antihypertensive and anticoagulant effects, among other things, have been recognized in recent decades. Numerous scientific studies underpinned.
10. Aloe vera
The popular houseplant and plant species from the aloe genus is another medicinal plant. Aloe vera gel cools, moisturizes and supports the regeneration of the skin. Medicinally, it is mainly used for small Burns, Sunburn or Skin irritation for use.
Medicinal Plants – Past, Present and Future
A look at history shows that plants have always shaped medicine - and still do today. Whether aspirin from willow bark, morphine from poppies or modern therapies with cannabis in the Releaf Clinic make it clear how valuable the connection between Nature and medicine is. They make us aware that many advances in modern pharmacy have their origins in simple plants.
"Nature is the best pharmacy."
Sebastian Kneipp (more under Quotes about health)
Do you have any questions or do you know of other medicinal plants used in medicine? Then I look forward to your comment and this article.
Stay natural and healthy,
PS: You can find out the best reasons in another article, Why you should eat more wild herbs from now on. Be sure to take a look!
